Key-action for calculating-machines.



D. FELT.

KEY ACTION FOR GALQULATING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED 1111.6, 1911.

1,003,723; I Patented sept. 19,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1,003,723. Patented sept. 19,1911.

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Avnear. E. FELT, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs KEY-ACTION ron cALcULArINe-Macninns.

Specification of Letters Patent. l

. Application filed January 6, 191.1. Serial No. 601,139.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Donn E. FELT, a cit-izen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in `Key-Actions for Calculating- Machines, of which the following is a speciflcation.

/My invention relates to a multiple order key driven calculating machine, and more especiallyT to a machine of the general type -of the well known Duplexcomptometer, in

light that the operator is naturally impelledl to fully complete the stroke before moving his finger from the key. And the invention has for further objects the effecting of other improvements in the construction and. function of the parts of the machine shown hereinand which may be found in or etl'ected by such mechanism.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal vertical section of a 'comptometen Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the portion of the mechanism not shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section. Fig. 4 is a perspective of the resistance creating device detached.

In said drawing 25 represents one of the side frames of the machine, and 26 represents th'e cross bars by which the frames are united together,

The'top of theI machine is shown at 27, and the keys 2S extend upward through it as shown. z

represents the divisional 'plates ar ranged between the different denominations. The keys are arranged together in the manner usual in machines of this kind, in denominational rows, and in such close order as to necessitate care on the part of the operator to avoidstriking more than a single key at each stroke. The keys are also provided with side lugs 29 bearing on the corraeeneed sepa 1e, 1911.

responding column actuator 30, and acting y to move the actuator when the key is depressed to the extent of the power of the.

key. The actuators are pivoted at their rear ends upon a pivot 24, and each carries a toothed segment 31 at its front end. The segments mesh with corresponding pinions 34 on the shaft 33 and such pinions are, mechanically connected to corresponding numeral wheels 32 in suchmanner as turn said wheels only `during the rising movements of the segments. By means of intermediate'wheels 3 5 and accompanying-gears the actuations of the pinions 34 are transferred to and recordedon the corresponding upper wheels 36 where the amount may be read by the operator. The actuators are provided with lifting or meter Springs In addition to theabove features of the comptometermachine I show several features of the carrying mechanism,.to-wit: at

G7 is a dolly roll projecting laterally from theactuator 30, and support-ing the free end of aflatch 73 pivoted at 74. -This latch controls a spring actuated sleeve 44 acting to actuate the next higher numeral wheel in carrying, means of arms 71 projecting from the sleeve and adapted to engage the under surface of the latch, these features being fully shown/ and described in Patent No. 702520. There are also shown detents 46 and 47 at opposite sides of said sleeve 44 acting in conjunction with an arm 45 on 'the sleeve to limit the`rotary movements of the sleeve. The detenti the control being obtained by each carry a laterally projecting ear 52, p

adapted to be engaged by a dolly roll 53 on the side of the carrying gear 41, andleereby to move the detente so that they release the arm 45. gether by a spring 44 which returns them to normal position after each release of the These features are also show/mand arm 45. described in said patent.-

In the present invention I have added to-l the mechanism above described, the following: at .M0 adjacent to each column act-u- .ator is a levei' pivoted upon a stationary rl-he detents are also drawn toi or seat normally for the roll, but the lever is adapted to yield Whenever the actuator is depressed by the keys, and at such times moves back out of thevvay of the dolly, the operator being obliged to put a little more power upon the key at t-he start than Would be required if the d olly or leverl Were not present. The resistance thus caused to the initial movement of the keys ceases as soon the dolly has forced the lever back and freed itself from the seat so that the remainder of the key stroke is unaffected, and is more likely to be complete than it otherwise would be. Although 'the key action is han dened by these devices, yet the hardening', limited as it is tofthe start of the stroke, is

beneficial ratherthan detrimental, because it is notuffdesirable that the action be too free or easy at the start, as that .is apt to result in depressing keys which it is not desired to operate With those Which it is desired to operate.

By hardening the key action with the means described, I also accomplish a further very desirable result. In the operation of the machine, the motor springs 103 are forced to lift the actuators, and with them they must also lift the latches 73 and the detents 46 and 47 so as to liberate thecarrying devices. These operations come upon said springs when they are at their Weakest point, and in consequence they have insome cases failed to perform their Whole duty. By the addition of the hardening mean-s set forth however, the springs 103 are reinforced in lifting the actuators by the springs 102 so that there need never be any failure in the action.

While I have referred to my invention as effecting a hardening of the key action, I do not Wish to have it inferred that the action embodying it is any harder to the touch than the Duplex comptometer actions previously made by me and described in said patents. In fact the present invention notwithstanding the additional spring 102 Which it contains and which must be overcome by the pressure of the finger, is lighter than said previous actions.

I claim i l. The combination With a column actuator of a multiple order key-driven calculating machine, having a series of keys arranged closely together on the keyboard, of menne fer increasing the initial resistance to the movement cf the actuator, said increase of resistance being automatically removable Genies of 'this patent may be obtained for during the latter part of the strokes of the keys. v

2. In a multiple order key driven calculating machine, the combination with a column actuator, of a yielding member for providing an abnormal initial resistance to the movement of the actuator, the increase of resistance due to the abnormal initial resistance being subsequently removed during the latter part of the downward movement of the actuator, substantially as specified.

3. in a multiple order key driven calculating machine, the combination with a col: umn actuator and motor spring, of yielding member frictionally engaging .s aid actuator, to resist the initial movement of the actuator, the amount of said initial friction being substantially decreased during the continued downward movement of the actuator, said yielding member further acting to reinforce t-he action of the motorsprlng.

4. The combination with Vthe column actuator of'a multiple order key driven calchlating machine, of a yielding pivoted lever one end of which sets under the actuator and is adapted to frictionally resist the beginning of the actuators stroke, and a spring acting to press the lever into acting position under the actuator.

5. The combination with the column actuator of a multiple order chine, and the motor spring thereof of a pivoted lever yieldingly resisting the beginning of the actuators stroke, and a spring acting to press the lever into action with the actuator, said last mentioned spring reinforcing said motor spring in lifting the actuator.

6. The combination with the column actun at-or of a multiple order key driven machine,

iand the lifting spring thereof, of a-pivoted lever frictionally resisting the depressing of the actuator, and a spring acting on such key driven Vma.-

lever and causing it to exert a lifting' force on the actuator when the latter 1s depressed.

7. The combination With the column actuator of a multiple order key driven machine, and the lifting spring thereof, of a pivoted leveif frictionally resisting the depressing of the actuator, and a spring acting on such lever and also acting to reinforcesueh lifting spring. y

DORE E. FELT.

Vitnesses:

H. M. MUNDAY, EDW. S. EvARTs. 

